Psychedelic Rock Classics That Everyone Should Know
Contents
- The Beatles – “A Day in the Life”
- The Doors – “Light My Fire”
- Jimi Hendrix – “Purple Haze”
- Pink Floyd – “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2”
- The Rolling Stones – “Paint It, Black”
- The Who – “Won’t Get Fooled Again”
- Led Zeppelin – “Kashmir”
- David Bowie – “Starman”
- Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
- Arcade Fire – “Reflektor”
Psychedelic rock is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the 1960s. Here are some psychedelic rock classics that everyone should know.
The Beatles – “A Day in the Life”
The Beatles – “A Day in the Life”
Often cited as one of the greatest songs of all time, “A Day in the Life” was the final track on The Beatles’ 1967 album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The song was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and it features one of the most iconic opening piano lines in music history. The song is a commentary on daily life in Britain at the time, with Lennon drawing on his own experiences and observations. The final stanza, which is repeated three times, culminates in a powerful crescendo that has left listeners both uplifted and stunned.
The Doors – “Light My Fire”
Released in 1967, The Doors’ debut album featured this sonically adventurous and lyrically daring track that quickly became their signature song. Co-written by frontman Jim Morrison and guitarist Robby Krieger, it was one of the first successful attempt at fusing rock with classical music elements, as evidenced by the famous organ intro by Ray Manzarek. Though it was initially banned by many radio stations for its suggestive lyrics, “Light My Fire” eventually reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing The Doors’ status as one of the most important and influential bands of their era.
Jimi Hendrix – “Purple Haze”
“Purple Haze” is a song by Jimi Hendrix, released in 1967. The song features his signature riff and is one of his most famous songs. Hendrix was inspired to write the song after waking up from a dream in which he saw himself walking under a purple sky. The song quickly became a hit and has been covered by many artists over the years.
Pink Floyd – “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2”
“Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2” is a song by the English rock band Pink Floyd. It was released as a single with “One of My Turns” on 30 November 1979, and later included on The Wall album released in December 1979.
The song is about Pink Floyd’s Syd Barrett, and his battle with mental illness. Barrett was Pink Floyd’s original frontman and lead singer/guitarist, but he left the band in 1968 due to his mental illness. The song is told from the perspective of Pink, a character based on Barrett who isuilds a metaphorical wall around himself to deal with the pain of losing Syd.
The single was certified Gold in the US for sales of over one million copies. In 2010, Rolling Stone placed it at number 337 on their list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.
The Rolling Stones – “Paint It, Black”
The Rolling Stones were one of the first groups to really capitalize on the psychedelic sound with their 1966 album, “Aftermath.” The album’s lead single, “Paint It, Black,” is a perfect example of the newfound genre, with its dark and ominous lyrics, heavy distorted guitars, and sitar melody. The song was a huge success for the band, reaching number one on both the US and UK charts.
The Who – “Won’t Get Fooled Again”
A 1971 classic, this song was written by Pete Townshend and is one of The Who’s most famous hits. It’s a complex song with a simple message – “Don’t get fooled again!” The lyrics are laced with political references and the sentiment is as relevant today as it was when it was first released. The driving guitars and thundering drums are signature Who and make this song an instant classic.
Led Zeppelin – “Kashmir”
“Kashmir” is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, which was included on their sixth album Physical Graffiti, released in 1975. Written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, it is one of the band’s most popular and well-known songs.
The music of “Kashmir” has been described as having a Arabian feel to it, with Page often using a slide guitar to produce the sound of a sitar. The lyrics, which were written by Plant, are about the allure of travel and adventure.
Since its release, “Kashmir” has been covered by a number of artists, including U2 and Jerry Garcia.
David Bowie – “Starman”
“Starman” is a song by the English rock musician David Bowie. It was released in April 1972, as the lead single from his fourth album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. The song became one of Bowie’s most popular singles, peaking at No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart, after re-entering at No. 2 in January 1976 following its inclusion in a major advert for Hertz rental cars. In June 1972, it was released to wider acclaim in North America as the B-side to “Life on Mars?”
The song is considered by many to be one of Bowie’s strongest and most popular singles, and has been described as a “pop classic”.
Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”: Released in 1975, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is one of the most well-known and iconic songs of all time. The song is a six-minute opus that features multiple movements and changes in tempo and feel. It is widely considered to be one of the best examples of the power of psychedelic rock.
Arcade Fire – “Reflektor”
“Reflektor” is the lead single from Arcade Fire’s fourth studio album of the same name. The song was co-produced by Arcade Fire, James Murphy, and Markus Dravs. It was released as a digital download on September 9, 2013, followed by a 7-inch vinyl single on October 28, 2013. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Alternative Songs chart and number two on the US Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart.
The song’s music video was directed by Anton Corbijn and released on September 27, 2013. The video features footage of a wedding in Haiti, interspersed with footage of the band performing in a warehouse.
